Epilex 500 Tablet belongs to a group of medicines called anti-epileptics. It is used to treat conditions such as epilepsy and bipolar disorder. It works by preventing extreme mood swings and abnormal brain signals that trigger seizures (fits). It also helps in the prevention of migraines.

Epilex 500 Tablet can be used alone or in combination with other medicines. Your doctor will decide the correct dose for you. This may increase gradually until your condition is stable. This medicine may take several weeks to work but it is important to take it regularly to get the benefit. Do not stop taking it, even if you feel fine, unless your doctor advises you to. You may have more seizures, or your bipolar disorder may get worse.

The most common side effects of this medicine include skin rashes, headache, feeling or being sick, difficulty sleeping, dizziness and feeling sleepy or drowsy. Most side effects wear off, but if they bother you or do not go away, tell your doctor. There may be ways of preventing or reducing these effects. Long-term treatment can cause weakness in your bones (osteoporosis), increasing your risk of breaking a bone.

Before taking this medicine, tell your doctor if you have kidney or liver problems, meningitis or depression or suicidal thoughts. Also let your healthcare team know about all other medications you are using as some may affect, or be affected by, this medicine, including contraceptive pills. If you are pregnant or breastfeeding, Epilex 500 Tablet can be taken if it is clearly needed but the dose may be adjusted. You should avoid driving or riding a bicycle if this medicine makes you drowsy or dizzy. You may need frequent blood tests to check how you are responding to this medicine.

Uses of Epilex Tablet

Benefits of Epilex Tablet

In Bipolar disorder

Epilex 500 Tablet works to restore the normal balance of nerve activity in your brain. It can help prevent extreme changes in mood and help you feel less agitated. You may experience fewer episodes of low mood. It can take several weeks for this medicine to work and you may still feel low during this time. It is likely that you will take this medicine for at least six months but possibly much longer. It needs to be taken regularly to work effectively. Do not stop taking it unless your doctor advises you to. You should continue to eat well and keep fit to reduce symptoms of bipolar disorder.

In Epilepsy/Seizures

Epilex 500 Tablet is an anticonvulsant (or anti-epileptic) medicine that works by decreasing the nerve impulses which cause the seizures. By controlling the frequency of seizures, it will help you go about your daily activities with more confidence. It helps reduce symptoms such as confusion, uncontrollable jerking movements, loss of awareness, and fear or anxiety.
This medicine is not associated with any physical or psychological dependence (addiction) but it should not be stopped suddenly. It must be taken regularly as prescribed to be effective. Missing doses may trigger a seizure.

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Side effects of Epilex Tablet

Most side effects do not require any medical attention and disappear as your body adjusts to the medicine. Consult your doctor if they persist or if you’re worried about them

Common side effects of Epilex

Hair loss
Tremors
Weakness
Infection
Peripheral edema
Headache
Dizziness
Blurred vision
Nausea
Vomiting
Sleepiness
Increased appetite
Insomnia (difficulty in sleeping)
Abdominal pain
Diarrhea
Constipation
Nystagmus (involuntary eye movement)
Weight loss
Breathlessness
Hay fever
Nervousness
Flu-like symptoms

How to use Epilex Tablet

Take this medicine in the dose and duration as advised by your doctor. Swallow it as a whole. Do not chew, crush or break it. Epilex 500 Tablet is to be taken with food.

How Epilex Tablet works

Epilex 500 Tablet is an antiepileptic medication. It controls seizures or fits by decreasing the abnormal and excessive activity of the nerve cells in the brain.

Safety advice

Alcohol

UNSAFE

It is unsafe to consume alcohol with Epilex 500 Tablet.

Pregnancy

CONSULT YOUR DOCTOR

Epilex 500 Tablet is unsafe to use during pregnancy as there is definite evidence of risk to the developing baby. However, the doctor may rarely prescribe it in some life-threatening situations if the benefits are more than the potential risks. Please consult your doctor.

Breast feeding

CONSULT YOUR DOCTOR

Epilex 500 Tablet is probably unsafe to use during breastfeeding. Limited human data suggests that the drug may pass into the breastmilk and harm the baby.

Driving

UNSAFE

Epilex 500 Tablet may decrease alertness, affect your vision or make you feel sleepy and dizzy. Do not drive if these symptoms occur.

Kidney

CAUTION

Epilex 500 Tablet should be used with caution in patients with severe kidney disease. Dose adjustment of Epilex 500 Tablet may be needed. Please consult your doctor.

Liver

CAUTION

Epilex 500 Tablet should be used with caution in patients with liver disease. Dose adjustment of Epilex 500 Tablet may be needed. Please consult your doctor.

What if you forget to take Epilex Tablet?

If you miss a dose of Epilex 500 Tablet, take it as soon as possible. However, if it is almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and go back to your regular schedule. Do not double the dose.

All substitutes

For informational purposes only. Consult a doctor before taking any medicines.

Epilex 500 Tablet

₹7.36/Tablet

Encorate 500 Tablet

Sun Pharmaceutical Industries Ltd

₹8.9/tablet

21% costlier

Life Call 500mg Tablet

Life Line Biotech Ltd

₹4.33/tablet

41% cheaper

Valaparin 500mg Tablet

Sanofi India Ltd

₹8.27/tablet

12% costlier

Valparin Alkalets 500 Tablet

Sanofi India Ltd

₹8.93/tablet

21% costlier

Valparin Alkalets 500 Tablet

Sanofi India Ltd

₹8.32/tablet

13% costlier

View all substitutes

Quick tips

Take your medication regularly as directed by your doctor as missing doses can trigger seizures.
Do not change the brand of your medicine and make sure that you have sufficient amount of medicine present with you.
Some healthy tips to prevent seizures:
- Practice yoga every day.
- Get enough sleep at nighttime.
- Limit the use of screen time such as mobile/laptop.
- Take your medication on time.
It may cause dizziness and sleepiness. Do not drive or do anything that requires mental focus until you know how it affects you.
Monitor your weight during treatment with this medicine as it can cause weight gain.
It may cause cosmetic side effects such as increased hair growth on face, acne and thinning of hair. Talk to your doctor if this bothers you.
Talk to your doctor if you notice sudden mood changes or develop suicidal thoughts.
Do not stop taking the medication suddenly without talking to your doctor as it may increase the seizure frequency.

Fact Box

Chemical Class

Valproic Acid Derivative

Habit Forming

Therapeutic Class

NEURO CNS

Action Class

Sodium Channel Modulators- Antiepileptic drugs (AEDs)

Interaction with drugs

Taking Epilex with any of the following medicines can modify the effect of either of them and cause some undesirable side effects

Bupropion (Oral Route) Severe

Sodium Valproate may raise blood levels of the active form of Bupropion. Do not consume Bupropion with Sodium Valproate. If concurrent use is essential, your doctor may monitor yo... More

Tetracosactide (Oral Route) Severe

Concurrent use may cause severe jaundice. Do not consume Tetracosactide with Sodium Valproate.

Zidovudine (Oral Route) Severe

Concurrent use may cause severe anemia, liver failure, and respiratory failure. Watch out for symptoms such as fatigue, weakness, abnormal bleeding, mouth ulcers, numbness, impair... More

Quetiapine (Oral Route) Severe

Sodium Valproate may raise blood levels of the active form of Quetiapine. Talk to your doctor if you notice any unusual symptoms.Doctor may monitor your liver function.

Zidovudine (Oral Route) Severe

Concurrent use may cause severe anemia, liver failure, and respiratory failure. Watch out for symptoms such as fatigue, weakness, abnormal bleeding, mouth ulcers, numbness, impair... More

View all drug interactions

Patient concerns

She has problem of epilepsy from last two years

Dr. Rahul Yadav

Paediatrics

Hello, epilepsy and seizures cannot be treated online without physically examining the child and detailed history.

Left side headache while laughing or coughing for 20 seconds only Pls suggest

Dr. Pushkar Mani

Physician

could be trigeminal neuralgia/ TM joint stifness or migrainerefer to ENT doctor and Neurophysician

Hi I am suffering from epilepsy from the past 1.5 years but before that I have no issues with my health the symptoms are I will get vomiting sensation from evening & heavy body pains & fits will comes only in early morning from 4 & 5 am i will get un concious for about 20 or 30 minutes & I will bite my tongue & after that I will have heavy nerve pains for a day or two from 5 days I am taking encorte 500 tablets between day & night before that I used to take homeopathy treatment

Dr. Jyoti Kapoor Madan

Psychiatry

Epilepsy is a central nervous system disorder (neurological disorder) in which nerve cell activity in the brain becomes disrupted, causing seizures or periods of unusual behavior, sensations and sometimes loss of consciousness. Medicines for epilepsy are initially recommended for at least 3 years of seizure free interval but may continue longer depending on recurrence. Epileptic patient needs to carry a warning card or a medical emergency bracelet with identification details, his/ her epilepsy status and what people can do if fit occurs in public place.

I am taking zeptol CR 400 in morning and night. I have been taking this tablet for 10 years. I am newly married, 6 months old and we are planning for baby now. Is zeptol cr 400 a birth control tablet. Earlier i took epilex chrono 300 and gardenal 60mg. Now i had stopped both tables as doctor advised and taking zeptol Cr 400 alone. Please advice me whether Zeptol is a safe tablet while planning for pregnancy and want to know is it like a birth control tablet. Please help

Dr. Suman Rao

Obstetrics and Gynaecology

its not a birth control pill.it is usually prescribed for epilepsy. you can continue taking it if required.

I am Epilepsy peshent said u take tab Phen Phen 50 up to 3 to 5 years

Dr. Jyoti Kapoor Madan

Psychiatry

User feedback

Patients taking Epilex 500 Tablet

Twice A Day

69%

Once A Day

25%

Thrice A Day

What are you using Epilex Tablet for?

Epilepsy

75%

Others

25%

How much was the improvement?

Excellent

67%

Poor

17%

Average

17%

What were the side-effects while using Epilex 500 Tablet?

Sleepiness

33%

Loss of appet*

33%

Nausea

17%

Headache

17%

*Loss of appetite

How do you take Epilex Tablet?

With food

100%

Please rate Epilex 500 Tablet on price

Expensive

67%

Average

33%

FAQs

For how long should I take Epilex 500 Tablet to cure my epilepsy completely?

Epilex 500 Tablet does not cure your condition, it only prevents the seizures from occurring. Therefore, you will have to keep on taking it, maybe for years. Consult your doctor if you face any problems while taking this medicine.

What happens if I stop taking Epilex 500 Tablet?

You should not stop taking Epilex 500 Tablet suddenly. It should be discontinued gradually. Stopping it suddenly may increase the chances of recurrence of seizures. Always consult your doctor if you feel the need to stop taking this medicine.

I have gained weight after I started using Epilex 500 Tablet. Is it because of this medicine? What should I do?

Yes, weight gain can occur with the use of Epilex 500 Tablet. To control your weight, you should have a healthy balanced diet and exercise regularly. Talk to your doctor if you have any other concerns.

Does Epilex 500 Tablet affect the working of birth control pills?

Yes, Epilex 500 Tablet does not have any effect on the working of birth control pills. However, contraceptives (birth control pills) may interfere with the working of Epilex 500 Tablet and seizures may occur. It is important that you inform your doctor that you are using birth control pills. Your doctor will keep a track on your response to the treatment and monitor the Epilex 500 Tablet levels in your blood levels.

Is it safe to take Epilex 500 Tablet for long term?

Many patients can safely take Epilex 500 Tablet for a long time. Rarely, long-term use of Epilex 500 Tablet may weaken your bones, thereby increasing their chances of breaking easily (osteoporosis and osteopenia). If you are taking Epilex 500 Tablet for a long time, get regular check ups done for bone health.

I am concerned because I have heard that Epilex 500 Tablet causes hair loss. Is it true?

Epilex 500 Tablet may cause thinning of hair, change of hair colour and even hair loss. If you are concerned, talk to your doctor if it is possible to reduce the dose of Epilex 500 Tablet. Your hair may regrow after either reducing your dose or switching to a different medicine.

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References

Sodium valporate. Barceloneta, Puerto Rico: Abbott Pharmaceuticals PR Ltd.; 2011 [Accessed 22 Mar. 2019] (online) Available from:
Central Drugs Standard Control Organisation (CDSCO). [Accessed 22 Mar. 2019] (online) Available from:
Sodium Valproate [Patient Information Leaflet]. Gangtok, Sikkim: Torrent Pharmaceuticals Ltd.; 2022. [Accessed 06 Apr. 2024] (online) Available from:

Marketer details

Name: Abbott

Address: 16th Floor, Godrej BKC, Plot – C, “G” Block, Bandra-Kurla Complex, Bandra (East), Mumbai – 400 051, India

Country of origin: India

The list of available options shown with the same composition has been prepared upon the advice of registered medical practitioners, pharmacists affiliated with TATA 1MG. TATA 1MG does not promote any pharmaceutical product of any particular company, and all recommendations are based on the medical opinion, advisories from specialist medical and pharmaceutical professionals.